Spartan Nation

BREAKING: Michigan State lands 4-star running back out of Florida

A big-time recruiting win for the Spartans!

Matthew Lounsberry

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BOOM!

Michigan State has landed one of its top targets in the entire 2024 recruiting class, as four-star Tampa (Fla.) Carrollwood Day running back Anthony Carrie just announced his commitment to Mel Tucker and the Spartans.

This is a huge win on the recruiting trail for head coach Mel Tucker and MSU running backs coach Effrem Reed. So far during Tucker's tenure in East Lansing, the Spartans have mostly relied on transfer tailbacks. That worked out great in 2021 with future All-American Kenneth Walker III, but MSU has had mixed results at best with other transfer running backs over the last three seasons.

Now, Michigan State has landed a talented running back prospect from the high school ranks, with a full four years of college eligibility to grow and develop him at the position.

A 6-foot, 185-pound prospect, Carrie is considered the No. 273 overall player, No. 22 running back and No. 43 player out of Florida in the '24 class, according to 247Sports' composite rankings. He chose Michigan State among a 'Top 6' which also included North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Notre Dame and Ole Miss.

Carrie has one of the most impressive offer sheets in the country, having garnered over 40 scholarship offers including the likes of Alabama, Georgia, Florida, LSU, Miami, Michigan, Ohio State, Oregon, Penn State, Tennessee, Texas, USC, Texas A&M and several others.

247Sports' director of scouting Andrew Ivins had this to say about Carrie's skillset:

A compact running back with solid vision and quick feet that has spearheaded Carrollwood Day’s rushing attack the past few years. In 28 varsity games, has totaled 2,618 yards and 43 touchdowns on the ground while averaging 7.1 yards per carry. Size hasn’t been verified, but is believed to be under 6-foot and hovering around 185 pounds. Should tack on more mass at the next level as the body looks to still be maturing. Ability to scoot past would-be tacklers with his initial burst after evading them with swift side steps and explosive lateral cuts is by far his biggest strength at this stage in his development. Has valuable experience working as the deep back in a pro-style attack that featured a fullback every now and then. Far from a true battering ram, but isn’t afraid to lower his shoulder pads and bang for yardage. Overall, should be viewed as a well-rounded ball carrier with a natural feel for the position that will have a chance to make an impact on Saturdays. Could unlock things if he improves long speed (has an 11.43 in the 100-meter dash on file) and continues to fortify core.

A native of Tampa, Carrie hails from the same high school as 2023 MSU cornerback signee Eddie Pleasant III, and Michigan State's coaching staff may be building a pipeline at Carrollwood Day.

After a slow start to their 2024 recruiting class, the Spartans are starting to gain a little momentum on the trail. Carrie is the third verbal pledge for MSU in the last two weeks, joining three-star safety Reggie Powers out of Ohio and defensive back Camren Campbell from Florida. When Campbell committed to MSU back on June 14, he immediately said he was turning his recruiting efforts to his fellow Tampa native in Carrie, and it worked out well for the Spartans.

Michigan State had previously earned verbal pledges from three-star cornerback Jaylen Thompson out of Tennessee, as well as a pair of three-star interior offensive lineman in Andrew Dennis (Mount Pleasant, Mich.) and Logan Bennett (Baltimore, Md.).

With Carrie's commitment, Michigan State's recruiting class climbs to No. 64 in the country by 247Sports. While that's far below what Spartan fans have come to expect from Tucker and his staff — MSU signed back-to-back Top 25 classes in the previous two recruiting cycles — the Spartans' climb could continue soon, as several of Michigan State's recruiting targets are set to announce their commitments in the coming weeks.

Michigan State Verbal Commitments, Class of 2024

  • Four-star RB Anthony Carrie; Carrollwood Day High School; Tampa, Fla.; No. 273 nationally, No. 22 running back, No. 43 in state of Florida
  • Three-star CB Jaylen Thompson; Riverdale High School; Murfreesboro, Tenn.; No. 436 nationally, No. 38 Cornerback, No. 10 in state of Tennessee
  • Three-star S Reggie Powers III; Centerville High School; Dayton, Ohio; No. 504 nationally, No. 48 Safety, No. 17 in state of Ohio
  • Three-star IOL Andrew Dennis; Mt. Pleasant High School; Mount Pleasant, Mich.; No. 584 nationally, No. 36 Interior Offensive Lineman, No. 12 in state of Michigan
  • Three-star IOL Logan Bennett; St. Frances Academy; Baltimore, Mary.; No. 1200 nationally, No. 87 Interior Offensive Lineman, No. 32 in state of Maryland
  • Zero-star ATH Camren Campbell; Tampa Bay Tech; Tampa, Fla.; * Currently unranked by recruiting services

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Matthew Lounsberry
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